Leo Varadkar has announced his decision to step down as Ireland’s prime minister in a surprising move, stating that he no longer feels he is the right person to lead his party into an upcoming general election expected within a year.
Varadkar, who has been serving as taoiseach since December 2022, with a previous tenure between 2017 and 2020, cited personal and political reasons for his decision but did not provide further details in a brief, occasionally emotional, announcement on Wednesday.
“One part of leadership is knowing when to pass on the baton and having the courage to do it,” Varadkar told reporters, flanked by senior party figures. “That time has come. After seven years [as party leader], I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore.”
With his voice trembling with emotion at times, 45-year-old Leo Varadkar stated that he would remain in office until a new leader of Fine Gael was chosen. He emphasised that he had nothing else lined up and had not made a decision on whether to contest the next election.
“There’s never a right time to resign high office,” Varadkar said. “However, this is as good a time as any… My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political, but mainly political.”
Following Varadkar’s announcement, the Fine Gael Party executive convened on Wednesday evening and announced that leadership nominations would close on Monday, with the new leader scheduled to be elected on April 5, a day ahead of the party’s conference.
The winner is anticipated to become taoiseach after the parliament, the Dáil, resumes from its Easter recess on April 9.
Varadkar, a medical doctor who became Ireland’s youngest taoiseach and the first openly gay person to hold the position, has been a prominent public figure for two decades. His tenure has included steering Ireland through Brexit negotiations and leading the country during significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a housing crisis. Despite these achievements, his party has faced challenges, and Varadkar is expected to meet fellow EU leaders in Brussels at a summit on Thursday before officially stepping down from office.
Leo Varadkar Calls on Joe Biden to Demand Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
Varadkar’s resignation follows days after his return from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with US President Joe Biden at the White House and less than two weeks after a government setback in two constitutional referendums.
During the meeting at the White House, Varadkar urged President Biden to work towards an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’ in Gaza, deviating from the annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition, which typically focuses on defending Northern Ireland’s peace process.
Facing significant domestic political pressure to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Varadkar seized the opportunity to raise the issue with President Biden, who has publicly clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past.
President Biden appeared to agree with Varadkar’s call for a ceasefire, signalling a nod of approval. Additionally, Varadkar emphasised the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace and security, contrasting with Netanyahu’s stance against a future Palestinian state.
For Varadkar, President Biden’s support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza represents a significant achievement. His efforts coincide with a critical political moment in Washington, where concerns have been growing within the Biden administration and among some Democratic members of Congress over Israel’s handling of the conflict.
Last Thursday, Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, called for fresh elections in Israel, criticising Netanyahu for prioritising his political survival over the country’s needs. Netanyahu’s Likud party swiftly rebuked Schumer’s remarks, defending the prime minister’s policies.
In response to questions about Schumer’s comments during the Oval Office meeting, President Biden acknowledged that Schumer had informed the White House in advance and expressed serious concerns shared by many Americans.
